Currency War Series

Currency War Series

Lower inflation expectations could trigger central bank actions

Feb 22, 2016 11:50 am UTC| Insights & Views Central Banks

Long-term inflation expectations in both the US and the euro area have trended lower for a long time and at 1.5% are clearly below inflation targets (2% for the US and below but close to 2% for the euro area). While Fed...

Currency War Series

Will BOK intervene to curb KRW volatility?

Feb 19, 2016 16:03 pm UTC| Commentary Central Banks

The South Korean Won fell 5.3% against the US dollar year-to-date, emerging as the worst performer among Asian currencies. Geopolitical tension triggered capital outflows from the economy. Global funds have pulled $2.8bn...

Negative Rates Series

Currency War Series

CHF value justifies further SNB action?

Feb 19, 2016 14:41 pm UTC| Commentary Central Banks

Despite the turmoil in the global equity markets, the Swiss Franc has remained on a weakening trend since the start of the year. The temporary strength seen in early February on volatility and Fed re-pricing is unlikely to...

Currency War Series

It is too late for Banxico to stop peso’s decline via rate hike

Feb 19, 2016 07:19 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

The Bank of Mexico unexpectedly raised its overnight rate to 3.75% yesterday in a bid to support its weakening currency. The timing of the rate rise was a surprise to markets. The inflation situation and state of the...

Currency War Series

Strong reaction to Riksbank’s rate cut decision unlikely to deter ECB from easing policy in March

Feb 18, 2016 07:40 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

The adverse response to Swedens Riksbanks decision last week to further cut policy rate below zero from -0.35% to -0.50% indicates investors worries regarding the impact of negative interest rates on the profitability of...

Currency War Series

The factors causing BoC's easing essential

Feb 17, 2016 12:27 pm UTC| Insights & Views Central Banks

USD/CAD trimmed yesterdays gains to trade at 1.3843, the pairs lowest since February 5th, during early European session, still down 0.12%. But the Canadian dollar weakened after a meeting between oil ministers from Saudi...

Currency War Series

BoK holds interest rate, likely to lower in March

Feb 16, 2016 05:37 am UTC| Commentary Central Banks

The Bank of Korea kept the policy rate unchanged at 1.5% in February, on par with expectations of economists polled by Bloomberg. The central bank expanded its special loans facility to KRW29tn in order to stop the drop in...